Road to Glory : The Manager

The end of August arrives and we have a team set and ready to go after a few moves here and there. Made more money though, which has left me a fair bit for January and the club looking alright for the now. While we saw 30+ goal man Craig Davies leave for League One rivals Barnsley on a free we did manage to cash-in on a few players. Dale Lewington, for example, a 16 year old who didn't make my personal 'ones to include/watch' list was wanted for around £500,000.

James Baillie, a key player, only on £700 per week was wanted by Championship side Leeds United and we let him go for £700,000 despite wanting them to meet a £1,700,000 minimum fee release clause. However, it wasn't to be and he was desperate for the move.

Our young keeper, Garratt who ended up losing his spot in the side to experienced Myhill, was also ready for the move to bigger and greater things with North-London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham vying for his signature. He tried to squeeze a lot out of him but only got £650,000. Which is fine, as we got a similar-aged keeper in for only £100,000 in Jesse Joronen.

Dominic Samuel was a deadline day leaver - he was decent but desperate to be our key striker and honestly I couldn't give him his wishes so he was away.

On the way in, however, was mainly just youth players. We didn't have too many academy prospects coming through and I wanted a core of lads coming through to be utilised in the squad.

William Dempster was the £140,000 man from Northern Ireland.

5c7a864aab9e27a5ab45ca9a7b2888a6.png


We also made deadline day moves for the likes of Yael Ballesteros and Theo Hernandez, two French 20 year olds, who bulk out the youth side as well as being options if necessary.

There's then ex-Manchester City youth prospect Mathias Bossaerts, no longer a real prospect but can easily be a huge player for us this season.

bbd2aeda582f48cb0532dcd7d510ddf3.png


SPENT - £800,000

SOLD - £2,500,000

*Any screenshots, ask away. Not not showing anyone special that hasn't already been shown*​
 
Looking good mate! Here's hoping for a promotion this year!!
 
"Yeah, James. Remember when Wayne brought up the fact he wanted a move for a new challenge?" Marvin Andrews said, entering my small cramped office room behind me. And I did remember this, but with Wayne Brown picking up the captains armband I thought he was over it and happy to stay - especially with our chances of promotion this year.

f90570181990295bc1d2916da007d1ef.png


"He brought it up again today, in front of his team mates and he's unhappy that you didn't fulfill his request - a few players were pretty disappointed too and want a word." He added as my room got flooded with 8 or so lads. There was no Wayne Brown though - and in such a situation I'd be desperate for my captain to help me but he's the current problem.

"What's the problem then lads?" I asked, as I got back up from my seat and edged around my desk towards them. Myhill was always a spokesman for the players, he was a goalkeeping coach here too and he was the first to speak out.

"We're all pretty upset that you didn't give Wayne an opportunity to move and a few of us would be worried that if we wanted moves away you'd disregard any requests." Bo looked around, hoping to see heads nod and a few did.

"Is that it? We have come off another big win, and you are worrying about Wayne not getting a move? He has a lot to offer to us and we have seen that with how he and we have performed. I make decisions here and if I feel that he really needed the move - I'd give him the move. Just get on with it, lads - alright? We can talk about any problems at a later dater. Maybe even closer to January when a move would be possible for him." I spoke a little cautiously but tried to be assertive with them. It was a stupid situation, the majority nodded in agreement and left. Tony Watt remained and said that he was still not happy that I was on the verge of hurting the 30 year old's career and I was just feeding my ego - which was far from the truth.

-

0997fb8df4c170cfbdb329806d1405e0.png

c43fbc4d2f7649dde30769a573c6b3d5.png



​
 
"Thanks for coming along, James." Roche said, welcoming me to his office. I'd been called in after a 1-1 with undefeated Charlton, and I had no real idea what it was about. It might have been the Brown situation but that had settled down.

"So, you have helped us into a decent financial position and we are happy with you for that. Now, we want to push our facilities on a bit. I've spoken to a few people and we want to get a completely new gym, a synthetic area and a couple more bits and pieces here and there - here's the proper plans" he said, passing me a folder. I quickly looked through it and everything looked alright, more up to date, modern and exciting.

"And what is the cost?" I laughed, glancing up from the new plans.

"Nothing too crazy. Around the £2,000,000 mark. If it can get the best out of our players then I'm happy!" he called out. I was happy enough. Financial reports were looking decent too, so progress was being made and the improved facilities would definitely entice quality if we were to win promotion to the Championship.

eb6399998dc08b7309f179a3a06452d7.png

16c71cc3358419d64b272f96f26f1610.png

47f81a6cc707ba6638e21ffcafac0ca6.png
 
Good start mate. Charlton look like they will be a tough challenge this season.
 
3ccb0bef00aeb57747a6c15e25a7ec0e.png


Late drama see's us sneak past Wolves at the Molineux. Thought we had thrown it when a scrap in the box saw Traore in space to smash it home however a Lawrence free kick managed to find the head of Tony Watt who managed to loop it over the head of Wolves' keeper Matt Jones.

d53856f6c744a43ae91993f7f8b4d9c7.png


9 and 10 games in and the league is trying to take shape. Charlton and Notts County are without a loss while Portsmouth only manage 1 point from their ten games. Important we get a nice run going to try and look in a solid position.

a8095d0ab40283792ec76f9e4127a1fa.png


Watt leads goal scoring charts with ten thus far in the league. Simon Moore of Notts County has 7 clean sheets already while Boaz Myhill has managed 3 clean sheets in 5 games.


​
 
dce17cc232cf143a84b0c2ce1fac9e02.png


Defeat in the JPT isn't anything to worry about, rotated side and a Michu screamer beat us. Van Der Vaart also missed a peno, which is a shame. Can now focus on the league until the FA Cup games appear.

In other news, we had a young Finish kid on his way in January while free agent Scott Sinclair continues to turn down a move to Crewe as he waits out a possible move to a better club..


​
 
91ecafce13cbb5098ba129f615f150e2.png


A fiery start, which saw a Tony Watt double secured the 3 points on a windy day in Colchester, we controlled the game throughout but took the foot of the gas and allowed them a goal early in the second half. However, Colchester United didn't have the quality to push us anymore.

adb5979916fe5a9416d5698e711fa738.png


The win keeps our no losing streaking alive and kicking, we have conceded 1 per game but have managed to score ourselves to at least secure a point.

3aa098669d5831c3c2b41489b813019d.png


With our results, we find ourselves touching shoulders with the top 2 sides as we are in early contention of automatic promotion spots, which is now my aim as long as we stay consistent. We are 2 league games away from where I took over this time last season and it looks like we will be in a better position - which I came in and then maintained last time out.

f4b296307e5616030095aa2fc6dc7f19.png


Tony Watt has definitely coped with filling the 30+ goal boots left by Craig Davies and has been crucial for us, while the likes of Tarique Fosu and Anthony Forde have also both impressed.

296a089b2c3cec6678dfca997faa98a4.png


d534ef9cf315daa4b7a795e5927681b0.png
 
159b057546e4a3142b7f3b5bbb932420.png


A late Tony Watt header is required to get anything from a Fulham side full of once-kids with a Premier League future - the long-forgotten Jay Spearing, Moussa Dembele, Patrick Roberts and the list goes on. Tunnicliffe left us really fighting with his second red of the season - or maybe even third? A fine and time in the Under 21s awaits him.

Forde will also face 3 weeks on the sidelines due to an aggressive Fulham side.

181d2b423dc8cc642383b4237997a5d0.png
 
30b04fe4278050ed146622cdfe64f4f6.png


Shamrock Rovers manage to retain the title I got them last season, many changes to the side but clearly for the better. They also got stupidly close to making it into Europe but they slipped up against poorer sides to just miss out on the Champions League Group Stages and then the Europa League - if I had been there what could have been?!​
 
7da9f6439a95578951dc50f7e409e949.png


Winning ways continue in the league, we were the better side but it took us a little too long to find the net before a corner found Bossaerts' head at the near post that ended up flying to the back post to find the foot of Rhys Bennett. Tariqe Fosu also continued his fine form to follow up a Wayne Brown shot from the edge of the box in a well-worked goal. Tony Watt will be MIA for 2 weeks, joining the injured Forde and suspended Tunnicliffe. Very pleasing result but expected as we are the only unbeaten home side still this season and Coventry are fighting off relegation.

3a4c90dcf0565b57798872022ab7928b.png


86832442104bdde2d6663502d566f170.png


I took over just under a year ago at the same stage in the season while we lurked around 6th spot, definitely making progress but it is very tight. Consistency is key as we try and hold firm our top 2 spot.​
 
b5ddb4a55e321edf7213ae6b457e6f52.png


Colkett returns for a short loan spell, he opted for a new deal with Leicester rather than staying on permanently with us last season which was a shame but we have coped without his midfield presence so far. He has made 2 sub appearances for Leicester in the Championship while he graced a Crewe shirt over 35 times in his spell with us the season prior to this.

He won't feature as much as he once did with us, mainly an extra option while we are without a few players and depth. Decent player to have to take us through to January nonetheless.

cc3d0f174b06765805f1bbcf5adabd2a.png
 
e15e7bf221f42224b922f98be1359d9f.png


Looked forward to this draw a lot, we captured the imagination of football fans across the country when little Crewe from the 3rd tier matched up against Liverpool at Wembley in the Semi-Final last season before they were beaten in Extra Time by Merseyside rivals Everton.

I wanted another run - well, don't we all? My hunger wasn't there like last season, it was more of a we will take it as it comes hunger this season. As all eyes were on a successful league campaign. We only had the FA Cup and League to think about though, and with FA Cup excitement it could be what keeps complacency away.

I look forward to welcoming Gateshead, we have matched up against better sides but they will have a real drive.


​
 
c6b828d6159b5d6d5b3d988d01e54158.png


Months after they edged us in penalties for a shot at Wembley and the League One play off final. They are struggling at the bottom of the Championship and I have no intentions of going to Birmingham. Thanks for the interest!

f259c1b913db89497a371e0bab6084e1.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

FMBase

Beta

Resources

Back
Top